Airship.



C. A. RUSH.

AIRSHIP.

APPLICATION FILED Nov.2s,1911.

1,021,338, Patented Mar.26,19`1l2.

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MMM

C. A. RUSH.

AIRSHIP.

APPLIOATION FILED Nov. 2a, 1911.

Patented Mar. 26,1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

' ter, as Well as in the air,

` mechanism for propelling UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEIcE.

CHARLES A. RUSH, 0F SAN FBANCISCQ, CALIFORNIA. i

Specication of Letters Patent. Appucauon mea November 2s, 1'911. serial No. 661,983.

Patented Mar. 26, 1912.

To all wllo'm it may concern lBeit `knownthat I, CI-IAimEs A. RUsrr,I

vide a tlyingmachine which is adapted to and in the Waand which embodies the principles of the aeroplane, hydroplane and balloon in a single structure.

Another object is to provide a novel the machine and steering it in various directions, and which be propelled on the ground -is simple 1n construction and ellicient in operation. f Other .objects of this `invention will appear in the following specification.

The inventionA consists of the parts and the construction and combination of parts nying drawings,

as hereinafter more fully claimed, having reference'to the accompain Which- 1 is avertical section of the in- Fig. 2 is a detail in section of an air motor employedin the invention. Fig. 3 is a. side elevation of the invention. Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view of the driving mechanism. Fig. 5 is :1c-detail of the ball Figure ventiO'n. Y

'and' socket mounting of a propeller carrying shaft.

The. drawings shpw a gas container formed by stretching a suitable fabric over a frame, .which gas container is shaped with a vertically extending central portion A, flanked on both sides-With horizontally extending portions4 B, .which project some v distance from the sides ofthe portion A forming inflated planes. `Depended from the underside lof the gas container is an inclosed hull-shaped structure 2, which is substantially the length of the gas container A--v-B,v and is rigidly connected thereto forming a part thereof. The hull 2 is provided as 1a housing Ifor the driving 'mechanism andffor 4the reception of passengers, freight, and the like, and is designed and shaped so as to adapt it to floating and traveling on Water; a deck- 3 being provided` therein with the' usual bilge space therebeneath.

Mounted on the sides of the hull 2 fore described and f and fatt, are socket bearings 4, in which balls 5 are revolubly mounted.' f A rod 6 is attached to each ball 5, by means of which it may be rocked in any direction in its bearing, and extends into the interior of the hull 2. Rigdly mounted on each of the balls 5 and extending exterior of the hull 2 is a cylinder 7, in which a piston on a rod 8 is designed to be rec-iprocated, as will presently be described; each rod 8 carrying a revoluble shaft 9 on its lower end. A Wheel 9 is attached to each shaft 9, the rim of which is adapted to travel on the ground and ythe spokes of which are in the form of fan-blades designed to act as air or 'water propellerswhen the machine is in the air or afloat. The shafts 9 are adapted to be driven by means of air niotors 10 carried by the rods 8, which -motors maybe of any suitable type, one form of Whichis shown in detail in Fig. 2, in which a disk l1 mounted eccentrically on the shaft 9 Within the casing 10 of the motorvis adapted to be rotated in either direction the interior ofthe casing through ports a or b from any suitable source of air SUPP Y- Propellers 11 are provided at each end of the hull 2 and are mounted`on shafts 12 driven by air-motors 1.0 carried on rods 6 mounted on balls 5 supported in socket bearings 4, which balls are adapted to`be rocked in their bearings from the interior of the hull so as to dispose'the propellers 11 at any desired angle in relation to the hull 2 and gas container A--B.

Propellers 13 lated ,plane portion of the gas container, adjacent the central portion A. The propellers 13 extend at right angles 'to the longitudinal center 'of the gas container A, and are mounted on shafts 14 rotated by air motors `10*.

are disposed above the in-l The ports a--b of the various motors 10h-102408L are connected by means of flexible conduits 15 to controlling valves 16 which are so designed that air under pressure may be delivered to the motors' 18 is of any suit-able type,

so by the admission of air under pressure to preferably a gasolene engine, and is designed to operate an air. compressor 19, so

as to compress air in a reservoir 20, from which the air employed in operating the motors -10-10EL is drawn through a pipe 21 leading from the reservoir 20 to the several valves 16. The pipe 21 leads to, and from, a heating coil 22 arranged in a casing '23, into which the hot exhaust gases from the engine 18 are directed through a pipe 24C, the exhaust gases thus acting to heat the compressed air before it is delivered to the motors, thereby increasing -its pressure. The exhaust gases pass from the casing 23 -to a pipe 25 and are delivered to the atmosphere through a cowl 26 to which the pipe 25 leads; the

cowl 26 being disposed at thev stern of the hull 2adjacent the propeller `11 in such position that the latter will act to create a forced draft through the pipe 25.

The air acted on by the kcompressor 19 is delivered thereto through a pipe 27 leading 'from a pipe 25', whichin turn leads from a cowl 26 disposed on the forward l end of the hull 2 adjacent the propeller 11 thereon; the latter acting to force air into the cowl 26 when rotated in such direcltion as to move the machine in a forward ends of the cylinders 7 and thereby disposev the propeller wheels l10 close to the hull 2 or someA distance therefrom, as shown in Fig. 3.

The inner ends of the rods 6 6 maybe attached to any suitable mechanism by which they may be rocked and retained in sired position, so as to dispose the wheels 9 and propellers 1l carriedon the outer ends thereof in any desired position. The mechanism here shown for operating the rods 6-6 consists of cables 29f29, which are.

connected to opposite sides of the ends of the rods and lead to drums 30; and are mounted on the'latter in such manner that' the cables 29 will wind thereon when the drums are rotated in one direction while the cables 29 will unwind, and vice versa. Pawls 31 engage square toothed ratchets 32 on the drums 30, so as to prevent the latter from rotating; the pawls 31 being. disenv gaged when it isdesired to rotate the drums.

Any means for rotating'the" drums may be employed as desired, cranks -32 being here shown for that purpose. 1

any deycompressor19 and compress air in the reservvoir 20. The machine being on the ground, it may be propelled thereover-by directing I compressed air from the reservoir to the motors 10 on the shafts 9 to rotate the latter and the wheel 9; the wheels 9 being positioned parallel with the longitudinal center of the machine. The machine is steered on the ground by turning therods 6 on the forward pair of wheels 9 from side to side; the piston rods 8 being so mounted in the cylinders 7 as to rotate with the latter when the rods 6 are turned. The turning of the rods 6 may be accomplished in any desired manner; lever k4t0^loeing here 'shown as attached thereto for that purpose. When it is desired to travel in the air, the gas container A-B is inflated for sustaining power,

whereupon the wheels 9 may be turned at right `angles to the longitudinal center, of.

the machine and are thenemployed'as propellers.` They may also be employed in as 'sisting the upward movement of the machine by rocking the rods 6 so as to dispose p the wheels. 9 in a horizontal position, in which position they. will act as helicopters.

The propellers 11 are employed as rud` ders, and by disposing them -at various angles, the machine may be directed through the air on both horizontal rand vertical planes; the propellers 13 being employed for the purpose of driving the machine ahead; If the machine should alight in water, the hull -2 will act to keep it afloat, While the wheels 10 would be employed as propellers` for driving and steering the machine therein.

The hull 2 lis formed with a double compartment, .into the outermost of which air from the reservoir 20 is forced in event the outer covering is puncturedso as to prevent the water from entering theA interior of the hun.

Itis obvious that the details offconstruction and arrangement of parts as herein'described and illustrated are subject tovv variations and modifications to adapt the invention to various conditions of use,and I do not limit myself to the exact structure here disclosed, but reserve the right to all such variations and modifications as properly fall within the scope of my invention and the terms of the claims. f

By disposing the pistons inthe rear cyl'- inders 7 in their uppermost position, and the pistons in the forwardmost cylinders 7 'in their lowermost position, when the wheels 9" are'on the ground, the forward end of the l gas container will lbe elevated so as to dispose the underside of the laterally extending portions B at an inclination, which position exposes lthe underside of the portions B to the action of air 'currents in such mannerv as to assistthe upward movement ofthe machine. This longitudinal inclination of the machine can be maintained' during flight by disposing the forward cylinders. 7 and the wheels 9 thereon in a horizontal position; the propeller blades in the Iforward wheels 9 on being rotated acting on the air to elevate the forward portion of the machine. By then reversing-the direction of rotation of the forward' wheels 9', when it is desired to descend, they will act to draw the prow of the machine downward.

In landing, the cylinders in a vertical position, with the pistons there-I in in their lowermost positions. The compressed air above the pistons thus acts to cushion the shock of the Wheels 9 when they come in contact with the ground, thus enabling a gentle landing. The air in the reservoir 20 may be drawn off through a pipe 20 and utilized for any desired purpose, such as injecting a fire extinguisher, etc.

The arrangement of the c'owl 26 .behind the forward propeller 11, and forming a communication from this cowl to the cowl 26 adjacent the rearward propeller 11, by means 7. are all disposed of the pipe 25-25 causes the two propellers .peller blades,

to act to maintain a 'forced passage of air .into the forward cowl 26 and out the rearward cowl 26. The rapid flow of air into the cowl 26', together with the vacuum produced by the action of the forward propeller, acts to so agitate lthe air adjacent the for- Ward end of the machine that when mist or fog are present, there will be a 'tendency to precipitate it and thereby clear the atmosphere chine. Having thusdescribed my invention,what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is l. The combination in a flying machine, of a gas container, a hull rigidly attached to the underside thereof, a plurality of cylinders mounted to be swung universally' on the exterior of the hull, pistons reciprocally mounted in the cylinders, and wheels carried on said pistons.

2. The combination in a flying machine, of a gas container, a hull rigidly attached to to the underside thereof, a pluralityof cyl- .inders mounted to be swung universally on the exterior of the hull, pistons reciprocally mounted in the cylinders, wheels carried on said pistons, said wheels fitted with proand means for reciprocating said 'pistons by fluid pressure for disposing lhei1 wheels at various distances from the 3. The combination in aflying machine, of a gas container, a hull rigidly attacher to the underside thereof, a plurality of cylinders mounted to be swung universally on the exterionof the hull, pistons reciprocally mounted in the cylinders, wheels carried on said pistons, said wheels fitted with propelfor a short distance ahead of the male blades, means for reciprocating said pistous by fluid pressure for, disposing the Wheels at various distances from the hull, and means for rocking the cylinders in their universal mountings to dispose them at various angles in relation to the hull.,

4..'l`he combinationin a flying machine, of a gas container, a hull rigidly attached to th'e underside thereofa plurality of cylinders mounted to be swung universally on the exterior of the hull, pistons reciprocally mounted in the cylinders, Wheels carried on said pistons, said wheels fitted with propeller blades, means for reciprocating said pistons by fluid pressure for disposing the wheels at various distances from the hull, means for rocking the cylinders in their universal mountings to dispose them at various` angles in relation to the hull, and means for rotating the cylinders to dispose the Wheels in various positions:

5. The combination in a flying machine, of a gas container, a hull rigidly lattached to the underside thereof, a plurality of cylinders mounted to be/,swung universally on the exterior of the hull, pistons reciprocally mounted in the cylinders, wheels carried on said pistons, said Wheels fitted with propeller blades, means forI reciprocating said pistons by fluid pressure fordisposing the wheels at various distances from the hull, means for rocking the cylinders in their universal mountings to dispose them at various angles in relation to the hull, means for rotatmg the cylinders to dispose the wheels in various positions, and means for Arotating the Wheels. 4

6. The combination in a flying machine, having ay gas container and a hull rigidly attached thereto, of' a series of cylinders mounted in universal bearings on the hull, pistons in the cylinders, rods on the pistons, shafts revolubly mounted on the rods,.means for rotating the shafts carried ony the rods,

and wheels mounted on said shafts.

7. The combination in a flying machine, having a gas container and a hull rigidly attached thereto, of a series of cylinders .mounted in universal bearings on the hull,

pistons in the cylinders, rods on the pistons, shafts revolubly mounted on the rods, meansa for rotating the shafts carried on the rods, and wheels mounted on said shafts, said wheels having propeller blades formed thereon.

8. The combination in a flying machine, having a, gas container and a hull rigidly attached thereto, of a series of cylinders mounted in universal bearingsI on the hull, pistons in the cylinders, rods on the pistons, shafts'revolubly mounted on the rods, means for rotating the shafts carried on the rods` wheels mounted'on said shafts, said wheels having propeller blades formed thereon, and means for reciprocating the piston in the ool having propeller blades formed thereon,

` having a gas containerand a hull rigidly attached. thereto, of a series of cylindersJ mounted in universal bear-ings on the hull,

pistons in the cylinders, rods on the pistons,

shafts revolubly mounted on the ro\ds, .means I for rotating the shafts carried on the rods,

wheels mounted on said fshafts, said wheels means for reciprocating the piston in the cylinders to. position Athe wheels at' various distances from the hull, and means for rocking .the cylinders in 'their bearings to dispose them at various vangles in relation to" the hull.

` 10. lhe combination in a 'flying machine, of a gas container formed with laterally extending-inflated portions forming supporting planes and' acentral, vertically extending, inflated portion; propellers disposed on each side `of the vertical 'portion above the laterally extending port-ions, 'and meansfor rotating the propellers to move the machine longitudinally.

1 11. The combination in a flyingmachine, of a gas container forned with laterally extending 4inflated portions forming supporting planes and a central, vertically extend- 'inginflated portion, propellers disposed on yeach side `of .the verticalportion above the laterally extending portions, means for .ro-

tatingthe propellers to movethe machine longitudinally, a hull attached to the underside'of the ygas container, propellers mounted at the ends of the hull, and means for disposing the lastnamed propellers in various positions .in relation to the hull.

voi. agas container formed with laterally 12. The combination in a flying machine, of a gas, container formed'with laterally extending, inflated portions forming support-ing planes and a central, vertically extending inflated portion, propellers disposed on each side of the vertical portion above the laterallyextending portions, means for rotating the propellers to move the machine longitudinally, a hull att-ached to the underside of'the gas container, propellers mounted at the' ends of the hull. means for disposing the last named propellers in various positions in relation to the hull, and means for rotating said propellers to steer the machine in various directions. i

13. The combination in a flying machine,

extending, inflated portions forming supporting planes and arentral, vertically extending inflatedl portion, propellers disposed on each side ofthe verticalfportion above the laterally extending portions, means for rotating the propellers to move the machine longitudinally, a hull attached to the underside of the gas container, propellers mounted at the ends ofthe hull, means for disin Various directions, a series of cylinders mounted in universal bearings on the hull,

4pistons in the cylinders, rods on the pistons,

shafts revolubly mounted on the rods, means for rotatingthe shaftscarried on the rods,

wheels mounted on said shafts, said wheels having propeller blades formed thereon, .means for reciprocating the piston in the lcylindersto position the Wheels at -various distances from the hull, and means for rocking the cylinders in their `bearings to dispose them at various angles in relation to the hull.

longitudinally, a hull attached to the under-- side of the gas container, -propellers mount'- `ed at the ends of the hull, means for disposing the last named propellers in various'po- 14. The combination ina flying machine, 'n i sitions in relation to the hull,\means for rotating said propellers to steer Ithe machine in various direct1ons,a cowl varranged adja-- cent the propellers through which air is forced by the `propellers,'and .conduits leadling from the cowl to an air compressor.

15. The combination in a flying machine, of a gas 'container formedwith laterally extending, inflated portions forming supporting planes anda central, vertically extending, inflated portion, propellers disposed on each side of the vertical portion above the laterally extending portions, means for rotating the propellers to move 'the machine longitudinally, a hull attached to the underside of the gas container, propellers mount` ed at the ends of the hull, means `for disposing the last named propellers in various posi'tions in relation to the hull, 'means for rotating said propellers to steer the machine in various directions, a cowl arranged adjacent the propellers through which air is forced bythe propellers, an air compressor, conduits leading from the cowl to the intake ports of thecompressor, an engine for operating thecompressor, a reservoir for compressed air, and valved means for drawing the air from the compressor foroperating the various propeller drivingv means.

16. The combination in a flying machine, of a gas container, formed with laterallyextending, inflated port-ions forming support-I ing planes and a cent-ral, vertically extending, inflated portion, propellers disposed on ench side of the vertical portion above the laterally extending portions, means for rotatlng the propellers to move the machine longitudinally, a hull attached to the underlongitudinally,

side of the gas container, propellers mounted at the ends of the hull, means for disposing the last named propellers in Various positions in relation to the hull, means for rotatng said propellers to steer the machine in various directions, a cowl arranged adjacent the propellcrs through which air is forced by the propellers, an air compressor, conduits leading from the cowl to the intake ports of the compressor, an engine for operating thel compressor. a reservoir for compressed air, valved means for drawing the air from the compressor for operating the various propeller driving means, and means for heatingthe compressed air as it leaves the reservoir by the exhaust from the engine.

17. The combination in a iying machine, of a gas container, formed with laterally extending, inflated portions'forming supporting planes and a central, vertically extending, inflated portion, propellers dis osed on each side of the vertical portion above the laterally extending portions, means for ro- Ytating the propellers to :move the machine a hull attached to the underside of the/gas container, Propellers mounted at the ends of the hull, means for disposing the last named propellers in various positions in relation to the hull, means for ro- O tating said propellers to steer the machine in various directions, a cowl arranged adjacent `the Propellers through which air is forced by the propellers, an air compressor, conduits leading from the cowl to the intake ports of the compressor, an engine for operating the compressor, a reservoir for compressed air, Valved means for drawing the air from the compressor for operating the various propeller driving,r means, means for heatingv the compressed air as it leaves the reservoir by the exhaustl from the engine, and means for utilizing the air after ity operates the propeller driving means for cooling the engine.

In testinony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES A. RUSH.

" Witnesses:

- CHARLES EDELMAN, JOHN H. HERRING. 

